Wilson receives $65K bonus from Raiders

Apr. 1, 2014

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Former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman C.J. Wilsonís one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders is worth $795,000 and includes a $65,000 signing bonus, according to a source with access to NFL Players Association salary information.

His base salary of $730,000 is the minimum for a four-year veteran, but Wilson will count only $635,000 against the Raidersí salary cap if he makes the team because of the veteran salary benefit.

Wilson, 27, was a starter in the base 3-4 defense for his first three professional seasons with the Packers. He lost playing time in 2013 after Johnny Jolly returned from a three-year suspension for violating the NFLís policy on substance abuse.

Wilson played only 107 snaps in eight games last season, finishing with eight tackles in the final year of his rookie deal, which paid him $635,250 in 2013. He missed three late regular-season games because of a high ankle sprain, but also was a game-day inactive in five others.

There was some thought the Packers could bring him back on a similar deal with B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett and Jolly all unrestricted free agents, but general manager Ted Thompson quickly addressed the defensive line in re-signing Raji and bringing in eight-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers from Chicago and 26-year-old Letroy Guion from Minnesota.

To his credit, Wilson never made a scene of his demotion last season, but will again need to carve out a niche in the run game like he did in Green Bay as a 2010 seventh-round pick.

The Raiders have 11 defensive linemen signed for 2014, with five coming through free agency, including Wilson.